Wheelchair user, 90, gets stuck on path at new Glasgow park

A 90-year-old wheelchair user has criticised a new Glasgow park - which claims to be accessible - after her chair became stuck in a whin dust path.

Joyce Williams told BBC Scotland she felt embarrassed and angry after her chair stopped moving at the Riverside Park at Govan Graving Docks.

Whin dust is a fine aggregate made from compacted whinstone, which is meant to provide a relatively firm surface. But Joyce needed two strangers to lift her off the path.

The Govan Graving Docks Trust said the park's landscape architect and contractor would investigate and fix the problem.

The park opened in March and was listed as being a new and accessible space for Govan.

Joyce said: "I looked it up and it said online the park was wheelchair accessible.

"I got a taxi there and the driver said 'I don't know if you'll make it down that path, it won't work with a wheelchair'. I thought I would risk it."

Joyce said about half way along the path her wheels would not turn and it felt "like getting your car stuck in sand".

She added: "I just had to wait in the rain until two people came along and offered to move me - but they could have been anyone.

"It was a nasty experience and I think it's a disgrace that it happened. Was it tested out with people in wheelchairs to make sure it was OK?

"Did they just take the specifications from the contractor and assume it was fine?"

Joyce is not the only person who has noticed issues at the new park

A review on the site Euan's Guide - which grades places on how accessible they are, noted that the path is made of a "type of sand which isn't great for scooter wheels" and that the reviewer "nearly got bogged down on it a few times."

Joyce also criticised the park's bench seats for having no arms or backrest.

She added: "Anyone who's old like me and has rusty knees can't use them, as you'd never be able to get back up again.

"It's wrong for an ageing population - they're doing this in other places across the city now, and it's ridiculous."

Govan Graving Docks Trust delivered the project with site owners New City Vision and Glasgow City Council.

The trust - who are aiming to regenerate the wider docks area with a number of initiatives - said it had reviewed the issue and discussed it with the park's design team.

A spokesperson said: "Transport Scotland guidance notes that 'whin or granite dust path will provide a smooth and firm surface that is suitable for all user groups'.

"We have asked the landscape architect and contractor to meet on site to identify the reasons for the failure of the path in certain locations.

"Once this has been established remedial action will be completed to ensure that the path is accessible to wheelchair users.

"We apologise for any inconvenience that this has caused in the meantime."

BBC Scotland understands that adding seats with backrests and arms rests is also being looked at by the trust.

A spokesperson for Disability Equality Scotland said: "Everyone has the right to enjoy public spaces, and that must include disabled people. Access should be considered from the start and meet legal duties to remove barriers.

"It is vital that disabled people are meaningfully consulted on projects like this, because lived experience is key to understanding what works in practice. What may seem like a minor design choice can create significant problems."